Exolaunch, a global leader in launch mission management, satellite integration, and deployment services, will deploy eight customer satellites on the upcoming Kakushin Rising mission led by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). For this mission, Exolaunch's EXOpod NOVA deployers have been selected to provide satellite deployment services, supporting the safe and precise release of the spacecraft once in orbit.
The satellites are scheduled to launch aboard Rocket Lab's Electron rocket no earlier than April 2026, from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. Through this mission, Exolaunch will provide its flight-proven separation systems and mission integration expertise to support reliable access to orbit for the participating spacecraft.
JAXA is conducting the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-4 mission, providing on-orbit demonstration opportunities for Japanese universities, research institutes, and private companies. The payload includes educational smallsats, an ocean monitoring satellite, a demonstration satellite for ultra-small multispectral cameras and an antenna that can be packed tightly using innovative origami folding techniques then unfurl to 25 times its size when deployed.
The contract reinforces Exolaunch's role as a premier satellite launch integration provider, scaling operations to meet rising demand for orbital access across Asia's rapidly expanding space ecosystem. Through strategic partnerships with both emerging and established launch providers, Exolaunch has positioned itself at the center of this growing market, providing flexible and reliable solutions for satellite operators worldwide.
Exolaunch is providing integration services and its EXOpod Nova deployment technologies for both standard and high-volume, high-mass CubeSats. Now in final integration at the University of Auckland (New Zealand) before shipment to the Mahia Launch Complex, the eight satellites will further broaden adoption of Exolaunch's deployment solutions, which are widely regarded for their reliability and ease of use.
“Japan continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing innovative space technologies, and we are honored to support JAXA and its partners on this important mission,” said Ichitaro Arisaka, Managing Director at Exolaunch Japan. “This collaboration reflects our long-term commitment to the Japanese space community and underscores the growing demand for reliable integration and deployment infrastructure as the global smallsat market scales. By working alongside leading institutions and emerging innovators across Japan, we are strengthening our position in one of the world's most dynamic space ecosystems while creating new opportunities for customers and long-term value for our partners.”
In 2026, Exolaunch is poised for a record-breaking year, with a robust launch cadence supported by its expanding launch vehicle and deployment technology portfolio. With a heritage of 734 successfully deployed satellites across 44 missions, the company has a proven record of reliability and operational excellence, providing global satellite operators with the flexibility to adapt, scale, and execute with confidence, from initial demonstration missions through full-scale constellation rollout programs across different launch vehicles.
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